The Greenwich soccer team celebrates after scoring their fourth goal against Ridgefield during their FCIAC championship final at Norwalk High School in Norwalk, Conn., on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2013. Greenwich won, 4-1. less

The Greenwich soccer team celebrates after scoring their fourth goal against Ridgefield during their FCIAC championship final at Norwalk High School in Norwalk, Conn., on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2013. Greenwich ... more

Ridgefield's Killian Clancy leaps into the air to control the ball while being pursued by Greenwich's Zach Bonitatebus during their FCIAC championship final at Norwalk High School in Norwalk, Conn., on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2013. Greenwich won, 4-1. less

Ridgefield's Killian Clancy leaps into the air to control the ball while being pursued by Greenwich's Zach Bonitatebus during their FCIAC championship final at Norwalk High School in Norwalk, Conn., on ... more

Greenwich's Nicholas Bartels celebrates after scoring during the Cardinals' FCIAC championship final game against Ridgefield at Norwalk High School in Norwalk, Conn., on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2013. Greenwich won, 4-1. less

Greenwich's Nicholas Bartels celebrates after scoring during the Cardinals' FCIAC championship final game against Ridgefield at Norwalk High School in Norwalk, Conn., on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2013. Greenwich won, ... more

Ridgefield's Ryan Casolo and Greenwich's Nicholas Bartels both leap for the head ball during their FCIAC championship final at Norwalk High School in Norwalk, Conn., on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2013. Greenwich won, 4-1. less

Ridgefield's Ryan Casolo and Greenwich's Nicholas Bartels both leap for the head ball during their FCIAC championship final at Norwalk High School in Norwalk, Conn., on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2013. Greenwich won, ... more

Greenwich goalie Santiago Irigoyen leaps to deny Ridgefield's Daniel Standish the head ball during their FCIAC championship final at Norwalk High School in Norwalk, Conn., on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2013. Greenwich won, 4-1. less

Greenwich goalie Santiago Irigoyen leaps to deny Ridgefield's Daniel Standish the head ball during their FCIAC championship final at Norwalk High School in Norwalk, Conn., on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2013. Greenwich ... more

Ridgefield's Killian Clancy shields the ball from Greenwich's Chris Galeano during their FCIAC championship final at Norwalk High School in Norwalk, Conn., on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2013. Greenwich won, 4-1.

Ridgefield's Killian Clancy shields the ball from Greenwich's Chris Galeano during their FCIAC championship final at Norwalk High School in Norwalk, Conn., on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2013. Greenwich won, 4-1.

Greenwich's Nicholas Bartels leaps over the slide-tackling Robby Jones of Ridgefield during their FCIAC championship final at Norwalk High School in Norwalk, Conn., on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2013. Greenwich won, 4-1. less

Greenwich's Nicholas Bartels leaps over the slide-tackling Robby Jones of Ridgefield during their FCIAC championship final at Norwalk High School in Norwalk, Conn., on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2013. Greenwich won, ... more

NORWALK -- Forget about unfinished business, the Greenwich High School boys soccer team's new motto for its 2013 season should be "taking care of business."

The Cardinals did just that Wednesday night, proving why they were the No. 1 seed heading into the FCIAC Tournament and regarded as one of the premier teams in the state.

As has been the case all season, Greenwich found another gear in crunch time, breaking open a close game with a big second half in its spirited 4-1 victory over second-seeded Ridgefield in the championship game at Norwalk High School.

The triumph marked Greenwich's first FCIAC title since it beat Ridgefield in 2007. The Cardinals (17-0-2) went into the season motivated by the words "unfinished business" after falling to Ridgefield in the FCIAC semifinals a year ago and being edged in the state semifinals.

"We should get T-Shirts now that say `finished business,' " Putnam said. "Scribble out the U and the N in unfinished. This win is for the boys, it was a tremendous victory for them."

"Winning the title feels awesome," Bartels said. "We worked so hard, going to so many morning practices and pushing ourselves to the limit for games like this."

Senior midfielder Adam Findlay scored for Ridgefield (14-2-3) in the opening half, cutting the Cardinals' lead to 2-1.

"Finishing second in the FCIAC is nothing to be ashamed of or to hang our heads about," said Ridgefield coach Phil Bergen, whose Tigers played GHS to a 1-1 tie on Sept. 21. "I thought tonight we played to Greenwich's strength, playing the ball high to their tall players. There were some moments during the game when we played to our style, but then we would fall back into playing their game."

Junior midfielder Paul Quiroga gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute. Receiving a through pass from junior Chris Galeano, Quiroga directed a shot toward Ridgefield goalie Nicholas Steer. His initial shot deflected off Steer's hands, but Quiroga followed his shot, knocking the rebound inside the left post.

"Chris gave me a great pass and I was lucky to score on it," Quiroga said. "This is amazing, we have been working so hard for this game all season long."

Senior forward Will Gittings gave Greenwich a 2-0 advantage with 18:07 remaining in the first half, scoring on a header off a corner kick from senior midfielder Mateo Gowland. Gittings has excelled on set pieces during the latter part of the season and Wednesday was no different, as he rose high and blasted his header inside the left post.

The Tigers worked their way back into the game though just before halftime. Findlay hustled to a loose ball and converted a shot from 10 yards out, making it a 2-1 game and giving Ridgefield some momentum heading into intermission. Ridgefield almost tied the score at 1-1 at an indirect kick in the 15th minute, but the goal was disallowed since the ball went straight into the goal on the play (an indirect kick must hit off someone).

"That one goal could have been big for us," Bergen said. "It could have given us some more momentum."

Both teams battled for possession in the second half, but Greenwich continued its trend of opening games up in the second half. Bartels fought off a defender before scoring in the 67th minute and tallied again with 2:15 left, sealing the win. Gittings almost scored a second goal after receiving a cross pass from senior Patrick Santini, but Tigers senior defender Sam Isaac cleared the ball from the goal line in the 52nd minute. Steer had 10 saves in goal for Ridgefield, which like most teams this season, had a bit of trouble with Greenwich's size.

"I couldn't have done anything without Jon, Ryan and Sebbi," Irigoyen said. "They always work so hard in front of me, I don't think I've had to make more than six saves in a game this season."

Putnam knew this particular group of players had something special in them for a while.

"I've coached a lot of them since they were 11-years old," Putnam said. "We won two state titles together with Greenwich United (club team) and about eight of 11 starters from that team are here on this team, so I've known what a great group this is for a long time."

Though Putnam said the team has finished its business, the players felt otherwise.

"Not yet, we still have to win states," Gowland said. "We have to continue to work hard and go after the state title. We're determined to win it."